Solomon Islands Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure Development Manasseh Maelanga has praised the Solomon Islands Ports Authority for continuing to modernize its facilities at its second international Port of Noro, Western Province.
Maelanga and his Permanent Secretary, Stephen Maesiola joined other delegates including Western Premier, David Gina at a ceremony last week to formally commission the LED Lighting and CCTV project at the Noro Ports facility.
Maelanga said the National Government is delighted to witness the significant improvements that SIPA continues to achieve in recent years. He commended the SIPA Board and Management for their wisdom and vision to upgrade port facilities to meet modern international requirements that improves productivity.
“This lighting project has shown continuous efforts to develop the ports capability and capacity. I would like to acknowledge the Solomon Ports board and management for funding this project. It is also pleasing to note that SIPA is the first port in the region to install and use LED lights in its facilities and operations in order to meet international requirements and port standard,” Maelanga said.
The CCTV System will improve ports operations including monitoring and surveillance throughout the port terminal compound, monitors movement of containers and cargos and all activities occurring in the port, and the safety of equipment, cargo containers and cargo movements that passes through the port, which is important to port operations.
This new system will also assist the ports to alleviate containers and cargos that can potentially go unrecorded.
The introduction of the LED lighting system will improve security and safety of workers during the night vessel operations and reduce energy cost. These lights will provide greater visibility throughout the terminal. This will also assist operation of ports equipment and machines at nights.
“Whilst security and safety of our workers is equally important in our ports operation, quality and better lighting during the night is paramount to prevent and avoid accidents and dangers that can happen at any time in such operations and the installation the LED lights has helped to achieve this,” Maelanga said.
“I must congratulate you all for your visions for our ports to ensure there is better service provided for our customers both internationally and domestically,” he added.
The LED Lighting Solomon Ports that was accomplished is an aspect of the Green Port initiative to achieve energy efficiency in the Port Maritime Industry.
With the LED Lighting and CCTV deployment, Solomon Ports has also satisfied its compliance requirements under the ISPS Code for physical security monitoring and high visibility throughout the Port Terminal.
“I am pleased that SIPA has improved significantly in boosting productivity output and better efficiency in vessel operation turn around. The machine operators and drivers are able to locate and pick up containers from container stack without any visibility problems. In this way, operators can pick up and move container faster and quicker during vessel operations 24 hours a day.
Dignitaries that attended the ceremony included Opposition Leader Mathew Wale, Leader of the Independent Group Dean Kuku, Deputy Chairman of Caucus, Hon Jackson Fiulaua and 4 other crown ministers, Hon Silas Tausinga, New Zealand High Commissioner Georgina Roberts and the Japanese Charge De Affairs.
Source: OPMC media release